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Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

The man tipped to be President Donald Trump's US ambassador to New Zealand is a former naked centrefold and supports the use of waterboarding.

Former US Senator and winner of "America's Sexiest Man" Scott Brown is being linked to the job by The Boston Globe, in a report claiming the 57-year-old is in line to "get the nod for Wellington."

Brown has a more colourful past than most diplomats.

In 1982 he nailed Cosmopolitan magazine's "America's Sexiest Man" competition, with the former Army man then turning his hand to politics.

His time as a senator included backing the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" including waterboarding - the act of simulated drowning in order to get subjects to release information.

Last year avid cyclist Brown told GQ magazine "I've always wanted to go to New Zealand or Scotland or Wales and just ride 100 miles, hit a pub, drink, eat, sleep, do some exploring, and then get up, ride another 100 miles, do that for a couple weeks."

It's said Brown is likely to be dispatched by the Trump Administration to New Zealand to replace Mark Gilbert, who was US President Barack Obama's appointee but had to leave on January 20 after the incoming Trump administration ordered all politically-appointed diplomats out of their posts.

The Globe reported that Brown was considered for the veterans' affairs' Cabinet post in the Trump administration but had told associates he believed he would be asked to go to New Zealand.

It said neither the White House or Brown would comment and the decision could change as Trump went through his appointment processes, but four sources believed it would be New Zealand.

Republican Brown was a US Senator in Massachusetts from 2010 to 2013. He had endorsed Trump during the Presidential primaries and hosted a Trump fundraiser. In his time as a senator, he had voiced support for interrogation techniques such as water boarding.

Also a keen triathlete, he's filled in time after losing out on a further Senate bid by working as a bike mechanic.

He is also a Fox News contributor - Trump's channel of preference - and lists guitar playing on his Twitter biography.

Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

Originally Posted by S.V. Airlie

What it says is blue states will vote for red candidates if qualified whereas, red states very rarely vote for democrats even if they are qualified..

Actually, Scott Brown was neither (Dem or GOP). He ran as an independent. Won his Senate seat, because there was no viable candidate from either party. He spent his single term in the Senate pretty much on his knees. Accomplished nothing, got his ass whooped in his re-election campaign. Left the State and carpet- bagged his ass to NH where he got beat once again.
Brown possesses nothing of value for the US nor N ZED. What a waste.

Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

Brown was a Republican during his terms in the state house and state senate and he of course ran as a Republican in the special US senate election, which he won, and the regular election, which he lost.

As a state senator, one of the bare handful of Republicans in that not particularly august body, Brown had little to do, which suited him fine as he improved his real estate career.

Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

Originally Posted by Ian McColgin

Brown was a Republican during his terms in the state house and state senate and he of course ran as a Republican in the special US senate election, which he won, and the regular election, which he lost.

As a state senator, one of the bare handful of Republicans in that not particularly august body, Brown had little to do, which suited him fine as he improved his real estate career.

Yes Ian you are correct, Brown was technically a Rep, but Ideologically his message was "Independent" and not beholding to either party. And don't forget the J.Crew Barn Coat and Mazda Pick-up charade. The man is spineless. What a POS.
I hope the Kiwis figure him out relatively quickly.

Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

Originally Posted by Barry

Yes Ian you are correct, Brown was technically a Rep, but Ideologically his message was "Independent" and not beholding to either party. And don't forget the J.Crew Barn Coat and Mazda Pick-up charade. The man is spineless. What a POS.
I hope the Kiwis figure him out relatively quickly.

He is the official mouthpiece for the current USA administration. As they all are. Figuring done.
NZ is normally a cushy posting in return for services rendered, and if he keeps his hands to himself he probably won't do too much damage.

Re: Our Next Ambassador to New Zealand

He was a republican. Here we don't parse it like elsewhere. Really, who cares? These positions are just for backers, contributors and hangers on. Did he do something during the campaign to deserve a payoff? I don't know. I'd take the gig at least long enough to catch some of those huge brown trout.